U.S. patent number 8,459,730 [Application Number 13/355,988] was granted by the patent office on 2013-06-11 for roof apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha. The grantee listed for this patent is Shinichi Hiramatsu, Makoto Muranaka, Kazuki Sawada. Invention is credited to Shinichi Hiramatsu, Makoto Muranaka, Kazuki Sawada.
United States Patent |
8,459,730 |
Sawada , et al. |
June 11, 2013 |
Roof apparatus
Abstract
A roof apparatus includes a functional bracket supporting a
movable panel, a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction
of a vehicle, a drive shoe moving along the guide rail, a front
link connected to the functional bracket to move in the
longitudinal direction in conjunction with the movement of the
drive shoe, a front guide portion guiding the functional bracket
and the front link in the longitudinal direction, a check member
engaged with the drive shoe to move rearward with the drive shoe
when a distance of the rearward movement of the drive shoe is
shorter than a predetermined distance, the check member disengaged
from the drive shoe when the distance of the rearward movement of
the drive shoe is equal to or longer than the predetermined
distance, a rear link engaged with the check member, and a rear
guide portion guiding the rear link in the longitudinal
direction.
Inventors: |
Sawada; Kazuki (Handa,
JP), Muranaka; Makoto (Kariya, JP),
Hiramatsu; Shinichi (Kariya, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sawada; Kazuki
Muranaka; Makoto
Hiramatsu; Shinichi |
Handa
Kariya
Kariya |
N/A
N/A
N/A |
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
(Kariya-Shi, Aichi-Ken, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
45531779 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/355,988 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120193945 A1 |
Aug 2, 2012 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
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|
|
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Jan 28, 2011 [JP] |
|
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2011-016542 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
296/223;
296/216.03; 296/216.08; 296/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
7/024 (20130101); B60J 7/0435 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
7/047 (20060101); B60J 7/057 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;296/216.02-216.05,220.01,223,224 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pedder; Dennis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
PC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A roof apparatus operating a movable panel in opening and
closing directions, the movable panel being arranged at an opening
portion of a roof panel for a vehicle, the opening and closing
operations including tilt-up and slide modes of the movable panel,
the roof apparatus comprising: a functional bracket supporting the
movable panel; a guide rail adapted to be attached to the roof
panel, the guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction of the
vehicle; a drive shoe driven to move along the guide rail in the
longitudinal direction; a front link connected to a front portion
of the functional bracket to move in the longitudinal direction in
conjunction with the movement of the drive shoe; a front guide
portion engaged with the front portion of the functional bracket
and with a front portion of the front link to guide the front
portions of the functional bracket and the front link to move in
the longitudinal direction; a check member provided to be
engageable with the drive shoe, the check member being engaged with
the drive shoe to move rearward in conjunction with the movement of
the drive shoe in a rearward direction of the vehicle when a
distance of the rearward movement of the drive shoe is shorter than
a predetermined distance, the check member being disengaged from
the drive shoe when the distance of the rearward movement of the
drive shoe is equal to or longer than the predetermined distance; a
rear link engaged with the check member to support a portion of the
functional bracket so that the portion is slidable in the
longitudinal direction, the portion being positioned rearward than
the front portion of the functional bracket; and a rear guide
portion guiding the rear link to move in the longitudinal
direction.
2. The roof apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
restriction portion arranged at the guide rail and a biasing member
biasing the check member in a direction toward the restriction
portion, wherein the check member is provided rotatably about the
engagement position with the rear link, and wherein the restriction
portion engages with the check member to restrict the rearward
movement of the check member to release the engagement between the
check member and the drive shoe.
3. The roof apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the check
member includes an extending portion extending toward the
restriction portion, the extending portion sliding on a guide
surface of the guide rail, and wherein the restriction portion
serves as a lock portion partially recessed in the guide surface of
the guide rail to lock with the extending portion.
4. The roof apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drive shoe
includes a shaft portion extending in a width direction of the
vehicle, and wherein the check member includes an engagement groove
having a rear end portion, the engagement groove being engageable
via the rear end portion with the shaft portion of the drive shoe,
the engagement groove forming a circular arc shape extending
obliquely upward and rearward in a state where the engagement
groove is engaged with the shaft portion.
5. The roof apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the extending
portion includes an edge portion facing the guide surface, the edge
portion being formed in a circularly curved shape.
6. The roof apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the check
member includes an elastic portion at the edge portion located in a
direction toward which the check member is biased by the biasing
member.
7. The roof apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the elastic
portion is a deformable portion integrally formed with a main body
of the check member.
8. The roof apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the check
member includes a recessed portion and a temporary fixation portion
formed at the recessed portion, and wherein the biasing member
serves as a compression spring arranged in the recessed portion,
the compression spring including a first end portion engaged with
the check member and a second end portion engaged with the rear
link, and the second end portion of the compression spring is
temporarily fixed to the temporary fixation portion when attaching
the rear link and the check member to each other by the compression
spring.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application 2011-016542, filed on Jan.
28, 2011, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure generally relates to a roof apparatus.
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
A known roof apparatus generally operates a movable panel, which is
arranged at an opening portion of a roof panel for a vehicle, in
opening and closing directions. The known roof apparatus disclosed,
for example, in JP2005-153803A (hereinafter referred to as
Reference 1) includes the movable panel arranged at the opening
portion of the roof panel, a functional bracket supporting the
movable panel, a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction
of the vehicle to be attached to the roof panel, and a belt movable
along the guide rail in the longitudinal direction. The belt is
driven by an electric motor so as to move in the longitudinal
direction; thereby, the functional bracket is moved in the
longitudinal direction in conjunction with the movement of the
belt. As a result, the movable panel moves in the opening and
closing directions. The opening and closing operations of the
movable panel include tilt-up and slide modes. The movable panel
includes front and rear end portions and a rotational axis arranged
at the front end portion to extend along a width direction of the
vehicle. The front end portion of the movable panel rotates about
the rotational axis, thereby moving the rear end portion of the
movable panel upward. As a result, the movable panel is tilted
forward (a state in which the movable panel is tilted forward will
be referred to as a tilted-up state). In a case where the movable
panel is brought into the slide mode, the front end portion of the
movable panel is moved upward from the tilted-up state and the
movable panel is slid rearward.
In particular, in a state where the movable panel is in a fully
closed position, front and rear shoes positioned at front and rear
end portions, respectively, of the functional bracket are slidably
arranged on the guide rail. The front and rear shoes are connected
to the belt so as to move along the guide rail in the longitudinal
direction in accordance with the movement of the belt.
A front check block is arranged between the front shoe and the
functional bracket. A rear check block and a lift up/down guide are
arranged between the rear shoe and the functional bracket.
The front check block is engaged with the front shoe and is
restricted from moving in the longitudinal direction until the rear
end portion of the functional bracket is completely moved upward.
After the rear end portion of the functional bracket is completely
moved upward, that is, in a state where the movable panel is in the
slide mode, the front check block integrally slides with the front
shoe, thereby allowing the front end portion of the functional
bracket to move in the longitudinal direction.
The rear check block is switchable between moving and stopped
states. When being in the moving state, the rear check block
integrally slides with the rear shoe. When being in the stopped
state, the rear check block is separated from the rear shoe and the
sliding movement is stopped. The lift up/down guide functions to
support the rear check block so that the rear check block rotates.
In addition, the lift up/down guide functions to lift the rear end
portion of the functional bracket up and down in accordance with
the rotation of the rear check block.
According to the roof apparatus configured as described above, the
belt is moved by the electric motor in the longitudinal direction,
thereby moving the front and rear shoes in the longitudinal
direction. Therefore, the front and rear check blocks and the lift
up/down guide function in accordance with the movements of the
front and rear check blocks as described above. As a result, the
tilt-up and slide modes of the movable panel are performed.
In addition, according to the roof apparatus disclosed in Reference
1, the front and rear shoes are both connected to the belt;
therefore, the front and rear shoes are positioned at lower sides
of the respective front and rear end portions of the movable panel
in a state where the movable panel is in a fully opened
position.
In the roof apparatus disclosed in Reference 1, the front and rear
shoes arranged at the respective front and rear end portions of the
movable panel are necessary for the movable panel to move in the
opening and closing directions. Therefore, the guide rail requires
a length in the longitudinal direction so as to extend at least
from a longitudinal position corresponding to the front end portion
of the movable panel being in the fully closed position, to a
longitudinal position corresponding to the rear end portion of the
movable panel being in the fully opened position. As a result, in a
case where an internal space of the vehicle, particularly, a space
right below the roof panel is intended to be effectively utilized,
minimization of a length of the guide rail in the longitudinal
direction may be limited.
A need thus exists for a roof apparatus which is not susceptible to
the drawback mentioned above.
SUMMARY
According to an aspect of this disclosure, a roof apparatus
operates a movable panel in opening and closing directions, the
movable panel being arranged at an opening portion of a roof panel
for a vehicle, the opening and closing operations including tilt-up
and slide modes of the movable panel. The roof apparatus includes a
functional bracket supporting the movable panel, a guide rail
adapted to be attached to the roof panel, the guide rail extending
in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a drive shoe driven to
move along the guide rail in the longitudinal direction, a front
link connected to a front portion of the functional bracket to move
in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the movement of
the drive shoe, a front guide portion engaged with the front
portion of the functional bracket and with a front portion of the
front link to guide the front portions of the functional bracket
and the front link to move in the longitudinal direction, a check
member provided to be engageable with the drive shoe, the check
member being engaged with the drive shoe to move rearward in
conjunction with the movement of the drive shoe in a rearward
direction of the vehicle when a distance of the rearward movement
of the drive shoe is shorter than a predetermined distance, the
check member being disengaged from the drive shoe when the distance
of the rearward movement of the drive shoe is equal to or longer
than the predetermined distance, a rear link engaged with the check
member to support a portion of the functional bracket so that the
portion is slidable in the longitudinal direction, the portion
being positioned rearward than the front portion of the functional
bracket, and a rear guide portion guiding the rear link to move in
the longitudinal direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of this
disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed
description considered with the reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where
a sunroof apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed here is in
a fully closed state;
FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where
the sunroof apparatus according to the embodiment disclosed here is
in a fully opened state;
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a front side of the
sunroof apparatus shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a rear side of the
sunroof apparatus shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view selectively illustrating a front
guide member, a front link, and a functional bracket from
components of the sunroof apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view selectively illustrating the front
link and a drive shoe from the components of the sunroof apparatus
shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view selectively illustrating the drive
shoe, a check member, a rear link, and a rear guide member from the
components of the sunroof apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7A is a front view of the check member;
FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the check member;
FIG. 7C is a vertically reversed view of the check member shown in
FIG. 7A;
FIG. 8A is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
VIIIA-VIIIA in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8C is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
VIIIC-VIIIC in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8D is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
VIIID-VIIID in FIG. 2;
FIG. 9A is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
IXA-IXA in FIG. 2;
FIG. 9B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
IXB-IXB in FIG. 2;
FIG. 9C is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
IXC-IXC in FIG. 2;
FIG. 9D is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
IXD-IXD in FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the front
side of the sunroof apparatus in a tilted-up state;
FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the rear
side of the sunroof apparatus in the tilted-up state;
FIG. 12A is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIIA-XIIA in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIIB-XIIB in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12C is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIIC-XIIC in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12D is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIID-XIID in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13A is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIIIA-XIIIA in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIIIB-XIIIB in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13C is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIIIC-XIIIC in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13D is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
XIIID-XIIID in FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the front
side of the sunroof apparatus when being in a state immediately
after the drive shoe and the check member are disengaged from each
other;
FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the rear
side of the sunroof apparatus when being in a state immediately
after the drive shoe and the check member are disengaged from each
other;
FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the front
side of the sunroof apparatus in the fully opened state;
FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the rear
side of the sunroof apparatus in the fully opened state;
FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XVIIIA-XVIIIA in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XVIIIB-XVIIIB in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XVIIIC-XVIIIC in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18D is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XVIIID-XVIIID in FIG. 16;
FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XIXA-XIXA in FIG. 17;
FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XIXB-XIXB in FIG. 16;
FIG. 19C is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XIXC-XIXC in FIG. 16; and
FIG. 19D is a cross-sectional vertical view taken along the line
XIXD-XIXD in FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A roof apparatus applied to a vehicle such as an automobile,
according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be explained as
follows with reference to FIGS. 1A to 19D. The roof apparatus
according to the embodiment will be hereinafter referred to as a
sunroof apparatus 10.
Directions such as a longitudinal direction (front and rear sides)
and a vertical direction (upper and lower sides) that are described
in the embodiment will be hereinafter referred to as a longitudinal
direction (front and rear sides) and a vertical direction (upper
and lower sides) of the vehicle unless otherwise specified. In
addition, a position close to a center side of the sunroof
apparatus 10 in a width direction of the vehicle will be
hereinafter referred to as an internal side of the vehicle. A
position separated from the center side of the sunroof apparatus 10
in the width direction of the vehicle will be referred to as an
exterior side of the vehicle.
Each of FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrates a perspective
view of a roof panel 1 at which the sunroof apparatus 10 is
arranged. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the sunroof apparatus 10 is in
a closed state. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the sunroof apparatus 10
is in a fully opened state.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 B, an opening portion 2 is formed in the
roof panel 1. A deflector panel 11, a movable panel 12, and a fixed
panel 13 are arranged at the opening portion 2 in the mentioned
order from the front side of the vehicle. Each of the deflector
panel 11, the movable panel 12, and the fixed panel 13 is formed by
a glass panel or the like corresponding to a light transmitting
member. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the deflector panel 11, the
movable panel 12, and the fixed panel 13 cover the opening portion
2 from an upper side of the opening portion 2 in a state where the
sunroof apparatus 10 is in the fully closed state.
The deflector panel 11 includes front and rear end portions
extending along the width direction and a rotational axis arranged
at the front end portion to extend along the width direction. The
front end portion of the deflector panel 11 is rotatable about the
rotational axis, thereby moving the rear end portion of the
deflector 11 upward. As a result, the deflector panel 11 is brought
into a forward tilted state (tilted-up state), i.e. the deflector
panel 11 is tiltable. In addition, the deflector panel 11 tilts up
in conjunction with an opening operation of the movable panel
12.
The movable panel 12 is attached to the opening portion 2 so as to
tilt up and so as to slide in the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle. The sunroof apparatus 10 is configured so that the movable
panel 12 is slidable while being maintained in a tilted-up state.
In other words, the sunroof apparatus 10 corresponds to an outer
sliding sunroof apparatus.
The fixed panel 13 is fixed relative to the roof panel 1 and is
positioned so as to face a portion of the opening portion 2. The
facing portion of the opening portion 2 relative to the fixed panel
13 is maintained by the fixed panel 13 in a closed state.
Next, a mechanism to move the movable panel 12 in opening and
closing directions will be described as follows with reference to
FIG. 2 to FIG. 19D. FIG. 2 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional
view of a front side of the sunroof apparatus 10 in a fully closed
state. FIG. 3 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a rear
side of the sunroof apparatus 10 in the fully closed state. In
FIGS. 2 and 3, components of the sunroof apparatus 10 are shown by
different types of lines from one another.
In addition, the sunroof apparatus 10 basically has a bilateral
configuration in the width direction; therefore, a right side of
the sunroof apparatus 10 will be hereinafter explained and detailed
explanations of a left side of the sunroof apparatus 10 will be
hereinafter omitted.
As illustrated in each of FIGS. 2 and 3, the sunroof apparatus 10
mainly includes the movable panel 12, a guide rail 20, a front
guide member 30 (front guide portion), a rear guide member 40 (rear
guide portion), a drive shoe 50, a front link 60, a rear link 70, a
functional bracket 80, and a check member 90. The front guide
member 30, the rear guide member 40, the drive shoe 50, the front
link 60, the rear link 70, the functional bracket 80, and the check
member 90 are arranged on the guide rail 20.
The functional bracket 80 includes a support portion 82 and an arm
portion 81 that extends obliquely forward and downward from a front
end portion of the support portion 82. The support portion 82 is
formed so as to extend along an interior surface of the movable
panel 12 in the longitudinal direction. The support portion 82 is
connected to the movable panel 12 to thereby support the movable
panel 12.
The guide rail 20 formed to extend in the longitudinal direction is
fixed to the roof panel 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the front
guide member 30 is fixed to a front end portion of the guide rail
20.
In addition, a belt driven by an electric motor is connected to the
drive shoe 50. The belt is moved in the longitudinal direction by a
driving force of the electric motor, thereby moving the drive shoe
50 in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the
longitudinal movement of the belt.
The front link 60 includes a main body 61 formed in a flat plate
shape extending in the longitudinal direction. A front end portion
of the main body 61 (a front portion of the front link 60) is
connected to a front end portion (front portion) of the functional
bracket 80 while a rear end portion of the main body 61 is
connected to the drive shoe 50.
The check member 90 includes a main body 91 and an extending
portion 92. The main body 91 is formed in a flat plate shape
extending in the longitudinal direction. The extending portion 92
extends obliquely downward from a front end portion of the main
body 91. As illustrated in each of FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear guide
member 40 is fixed to the guide rail 20 so as to be positioned
thereon further rearward than the front guide member 30.
Here, further detailed explanations of the mechanism to move the
movable panel 12 in the opening and closing directions will be
described as follows with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9D. The movable
panel 12, the functional bracket 80, the front guide member 30, the
front link 60, and the like are illustrated in FIG. 4 selectively
from the components of the sunroof apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2.
The front link 60 and the drive shoe 50 are illustrated in FIG. 5
selectively from the components of the sunroof apparatus 10 shown
in FIG. 2. The drive shoe 50, the check member 90, the rear link
70, and the rear guide member 40 are illustrated in FIG. 6
selectively from the components of the sunroof apparatus 10 shown
in FIG. 2. FIG. 7A illustrates a front view of the check member 90.
FIG. 7B illustrates a top plan view of the check member 90. FIG. 7C
illustrates a vertically reversed view of the check member 90 of
FIG. 7A.
In addition, FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D illustrate vertical
cross-sectional views taken along the lines VIIIA-VIIIA,
VIIIB-VIIIB, VIIIC-VIIIC, and VIIID-VIIID of FIG. 2. FIGS. 9A, 9B,
and 9C illustrate vertical cross-sectional views taken along the
lines IXA-IXA, IXB-IXB, and IXC-IXC of FIG. 2 and FIG. 9D
illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
IXD-IXD of FIG. 3.
As illustrated in each of FIGS. 4 and 8A, a hole is formed in a
front end portion of the arm portion 81 of the functional bracket
80. Upper and lower holes (hereinafter referred to as first and
second holes, respectively) are formed in the front end portion of
the main body 61 of the front link 60. A first guide pin 62a is
press-fitted to the first hole of the front end portion of the main
body 61 so as to protrude toward the interior side in the width
direction. In addition, the first guide pin 62a is inserted in the
hole of the functional bracket 80 in a state where the front link
60 is arranged at an exterior side of the functional bracket 80 in
the width direction so as to be arranged parallel to the functional
bracket 80 in an overlapping manner; thereby, the functional
bracket 80 is rotatable relative to the front link 60 about the
first guide pin 62a.
A second guide pin 62b (see FIG. 4) is press-fitted into the second
hole of the front end portion of the main body 61 of the front link
60 so as to protrude toward the exterior side in the width
direction. A third hole is formed in an intermediate portion of the
main body 61 of the front link 60 in the longitudinal direction. A
third guide pin 62c serving as a front restriction portion is
press-fitted to the third hole of the intermediate portion of the
main body 61 so as to protrude toward the exterior side (see FIG.
8C). A fourth hole is formed in the rear end portion of the main
body 61. A fourth guide pin 62d serving as a rear restriction
portion is press-fitted to the fourth hole of the rear end portion
of the main body 61 so as to protrude toward the interior side (see
FIG. 8D). In addition, a fifth hole is formed in the main body 61
so as to be positioned between the third guide pin 62c and the
fourth guide pin 62d. A fifth guide pin 62e (see FIG. 4) is
press-fitted to the fifth hole of the main body 61 so as to
protrude toward the interior side.
When the front link 60 moves rearward, the front guide member 30
guides the functional bracket 80 and the front portion of the front
link 60 so as to move the functional bracket 80 and the front
portion of the front link 60 upward. The front guide member 30
includes interior and exterior wall portions 31 and 33 each having
a substantially C-shape in cross section. The exterior wall portion
33 is positioned at an exterior side of the interior wall portion
31 in the width direction (for the interior wall portion 31, see
FIG. 8A). As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the interior wall portion 31
includes an interior guide groove 32. The interior guide groove 32
corresponding to an inner wall surface of the interior wall portion
31 has an opening facing the exterior side in the width direction.
The first guide pin 62a is inserted in the interior guide groove
32. Meanwhile, the exterior wall portion 33 includes an exterior
guide groove 34 positioned at a lower side of the interior guide
groove 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The exterior guide groove 34
corresponding to an inner wall surface of the exterior wall portion
33 has an opening facing the interior side in the width direction.
The second guide pin 62b is inserted in the exterior guide groove
34. As described above, both the first guide pin 62a and the second
guide pin 62b are arranged at the front guide member 30 so as to be
inserted in the interior guide groove 32 and the exterior guide
groove 34, respectively. The first guide pin 62a and the second
guide pin 62b are movably guided by the interior guide groove 32
and the exterior guide groove 34, respectively, in conjunction with
the longitudinal movement of the drive shoe 50.
In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the interior guide groove
32 includes a front end portion that is closed, a vertically
extending portion 32a vertically extending from the front end
portion, and a circular arc portion 32b extending obliquely
rearward and upward from an upper end portion of the vertically
extending portion 32a. The exterior guide groove 34 includes a
front end portion that is closed, a vertically extending portion
34a vertically extending from the front end portion, and a circular
arc portion 34b extending obliquely rearward and upward from an
upper end portion of the vertically extending portion 34a. Rear end
portions of the interior guide groove 32 and the exterior guide
groove 34 are opened. A guide width (vertical distance) at a rear
end portion of the circular arc portion 32b is designed to be
smaller than a guide width (vertical distance) at a front end
portion of the circular arc portion 32b. The front end portion of
the exterior guide groove 34 protrudes toward a lower side of a
guide surface 21 of the guide rail 20. The guide surface 21
includes first, second, third, and fourth wall portions 21a, 21b,
21c, and 21d as will be described below (for example, refer to
FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D).
In a state where the movable panel 12 is in a fully closed position
as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first guide pin 62a is positioned
further forward and further upward than the second guide pin 62b.
In addition, the third guide pin 62c and the fifth guide pin 62e
are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction and are
positioned further upward than the first guide pin 62a. The fourth
guide pin 62d is positioned further upward than the third guide pin
62c and the fifth guide pin 62e.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the drive shoe 50 includes a main body 51
having a substantially flat plate shape and an approximately
rectangular cross section. A guide hole 52 is formed in the main
body 51 so as to penetrate therethrough in the width direction. The
entire guide hole 52 has a shape extending in the longitudinal
direction from a front end portion to a rear end portion of the
main body 51. The guide hole 52 is formed by a vertically extending
portion 52a, first and second inclined portions 52b and 52c, and a
horizontal portion 52d.
The vertically extending portion 52a is positioned close to a lower
end surface of the main body 51 so as to extend upward from the
lower end surface. The first inclined portion 52b extends obliquely
upward from an upper end portion of the vertically extending
portion 52a toward a rear side of the main body 51. The second
inclined portion 52c extends obliquely upward from a rear end
portion of the first inclined portion 52b toward the rear side of
the main body 51. The inclination of the second inclined portion
52c is slightly smaller than the inclination of the first inclined
portion 52b. The horizontal portion 52d horizontally extends from a
rear end portion of the second inclined portion 52c toward the rear
side of the main body 51.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the fourth guide pin 62d of the front
link 60 is inserted in the guide hole 52 and the front link 60
moves in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the
longitudinal movement of the drive shoe 50. As illustrated in FIGS.
5 and 8B, a restriction pin 53 is arranged at an upper end of the
front end portion of the main body 51. In particular, the
restriction pin 53 is arranged at an upper side of the first
inclined portion 52b of the guide hole 52 so as to protrude toward
the exterior side in the width direction. The restriction pin 53 is
positioned at an upper side of the main body 61 of the front link
60, thereby restricting the front link 60 from moving upward.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9A, an engagement pin 54 serving as a
shaft portion is arranged at an upper end of the rear end portion
of the main body 51. In particular, the engagement pin 54 is
positioned further rearward than a rear end portion of the
horizontal portion 52d so as to protrude toward the exterior side
in the width direction. The engagement pin 54 is engageable with an
engagement groove 93 of the check member 90 that will be described
below.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9A, an annular portion 55 protruding
toward the exterior side in the width direction is formed at the
main body 51 so as to be positioned at a lower side of the
engagement pin 54. The annular portion 55 is inserted in a recessed
portion 23c (see FIG. 9A) of the third wall portion 21 c that
protrudes upward from the guide surface 21 of the guide rail 20 so
as to extend in the longitudinal direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8B, and 8D, through-holes are formed at
a lower portion of the main body 51. Each of the through-holes
penetrates in the width direction. A deformable portion 56 is
formed by a thin-walled portion defined between the through-hole
and a lower surface of the main body 51. The deformable portions 56
are arranged respectively at the front and rear end portions of the
main body 51.
As illustrated in FIGS. 8B, 8C, 8D, and 9A, a convex guide portion
57 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed at the main
body 51 so as to protrude toward the interior side in the width
direction. The convex guide portion 57 is inserted in a recessed
portion of the first wall portion 21a that protrudes upward from
the guide surface 21 of the guide rail 20 so as to extend in the
longitudinal direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, and 7C, the check member 90
includes the main body 91 and the extending portion 92. The main
body 91 is formed in an elongated shape extending in the
longitudinal direction. The extending portion 92 has a strip shape
curved downward from a front end portion of the main body 91 toward
the guide surface 21 of the guide rail 20. Thus, the check member
90 as a whole is formed in a substantially L-shape.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7C, and 9A, the engagement groove 93
is formed at the front end portion of the main body 91 so as to be
recessed in an interior surface of the main body 91. The engagement
groove 93 forms a substantially circular arc shape curved and
extending obliquely upward toward a rear end portion of the main
body 91 in a state where the engagement pin 54 is engaged with the
engagement groove 93. A front end portion of the engagement groove
93 is closed while a rear end portion of the engagement groove 93
is opened. The engagement pin 54 of the drive shoe 50 is inserted
through the rear end portion of the engagement groove 93 in the
engagement groove 93 so as to engage therewith. In addition, an
inclined guide surface 98 is formed at the front end portion of the
main body 91 so as to extend obliquely downward toward the rear end
portion of the main body 91. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7C, a
connecting surface 99 connecting the inclined guide surface 98 and
the engagement groove 93 to each other is formed therebetween.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7C, a recessed engagement portion 94
is formed at the rear end portion of the main body 91 so as to be
receded in an exterior surface of the main body 91. A lower end
portion of the recessed engagement portion 94 is closed while an
upper end portion of the recessed engagement portion 94 is opened.
A convex engagement portion 72a (see FIGS. 6, 11, 15, and 16) of
the rear link 70 that will be described below is inserted through
the upper end portion of the recessed engagement portion 94 so as
to engage therewith. The check member 90 is rotatable about the
recessed engagement portion 94 relative to the rear link 70.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7C, and 9B, a recessed attachment
portion 95 (recessed portion) is formed in an intermediate portion
of the main body 91 in the longitudinal direction so as to extend
therealong. A spring 100 serving as a biasing member having a
substantially U-shape is attached to the recessed attachment
portion 95 in a compressed manner. A curved portion 103 of the
spring 100 corresponding to a compression spring is positioned
close to a rear edge of the recessed attachment portion 95. As
illustrated in FIG. 7A, a base end portion (first end portion) 101
of the spring 100 is inserted in and attached to an attachment hole
91a formed in the main body 91 (the base end portion 101 of the
spring 100 is located on the left side in FIG. 7A). As illustrated
in FIG. 7A, a temporary fixation portion 97 is formed at the main
body 91 (the recessed attachment portion 95) so as to be positioned
at an upper side of the attachment hole 91a. A fixation portion
(second end portion) 102 of the spring 100 is temporally fixed to
the temporary fixation portion 97.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9B, the fixation portion 102 of the
spring 100 is engaged with (a protruding lock portion 71 b of) the
rear link 70 in a state where the check member 90 and the rear link
70 are attached to each other (the protruding lock portion 71b will
be described below).
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9A, the extending portion 92 is
formed at the check member 90 so as to extend in a direction that
is perpendicular to a line connecting the engagement groove 93 to
the recessed engagement portion 94. That is, the extending portion
92 has a shape extending in a direction toward the guide surface 21
of the guide rail 20. The extending portion 92 is slidably arranged
on the guide surface 21. In addition, the extending portion 92
includes a lower surface (edge portion) facing the guide surface 21
and the lower surface of the extending portion 92 includes a
circular arc surface 92a formed in a substantially circularly
curved shape having a radius extending from the engagement groove
93.
A deformable portion 96 having a shape similar to the shape of the
deformable portion 56 of the drive shoe 50 is formed at the lower
surface of the main body 91. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9A, the
rear link 70 includes a front portion 71, an intermediate portion
72, and a rear portion 73. The front portion 71 and the
intermediate portion 72 as a whole have an elongated shape
extending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the rear
portion 73 extending obliquely rearward and upward from a rear end
portion of the intermediate portion 72 is formed so as to support
the check member 90 in a covering manner from interior and exterior
sides of the check member 90 in the width direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9B, a deformable portion 71a is
formed at a lower surface of the front portion 71 of the rear link
70. The deformable portion 71a has a shape similar to the shape of
the deformable portion 56 of the drive shoe 50. In addition, the
protruding lock portion 71b is formed at the front portion 71 of
the rear link 70. The protruding lock portion 71b protruding upward
is curved so as to protrude toward the interior side in the width
direction. The spring 100 is engaged with a lower surface of the
protruding lock portion 71b.
The convex engagement portion 72a is arranged at the intermediate
portion 72 of the rear link 70 so as to protrude from an interior
surface of the intermediate portion 72 toward the interior side in
the width direction. That is, the convex engagement portion 72a
protrudes from the interior surface of the intermediate portion 72
toward the recessed engagement portion 94 of the check member 90.
As described above, the convex engagement portion 72a is inserted
in the recessed engagement portion 94; thereby, the rear link 70
and the check member 90 are engaged with each other.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9C, a convex insertion portion 72b
serving as a rear restriction portion is formed at the intermediate
portion 72 so as to protrude from an exterior surface of the
intermediate portion 72 toward the exterior side in the width
direction. Here, the rear end portion of the front link 60 is
positioned further forward than the convex insertion portion 72b
(see FIG. 2).
As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, and 9D, the rear portion 73 of the
rear link 70 includes vertical wall portions 73a and 73b at
interior and exterior sides, respectively (the vertical wall
portions 73a and 73b will be hereinafter referred to as an
interior-side vertical wall portion 73a and an exterior-side
vertical wall portion 73b, respectively), and a connecting bottom
portion 73c connecting the interior-side vertical wall portion 73a
to the exterior-side vertical wall portion 73b. An exterior side
edge of the support portion 82 of the functional bracket 80 is
supported by the interior-side vertical wall portion 73a, the
exterior-side vertical wall portion 73b, and the connecting bottom
portion 73c from a lower side of the functional bracket 80 so as to
slide along the longitudinal direction. In addition, a slider 82A
made of resin is slidably fixed to the exterior side edge of the
support portion 82 in the longitudinal direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9C, a recessed guide portion 42 is
formed at a main body 41 of the rear guide member 40 so as to be
recessed in an interior surface of the main body 41 in the width
direction. The interior surface of the main body 41 extends in the
longitudinal direction. The recessed guide portion 42 is formed so
as to be inclined obliquely upward from a front portion to a rear
portion of the main body 41 of the rear guide member 40. The convex
insertion portion 72b of the rear link 70 is inserted in the
recessed guide portion 42.
The rear guide member 40 is arranged at a substantially
intermediate portion of the guide rail 20 in the longitudinal
direction. A lock hole 21e is formed in the guide surface 21 of the
guide rail 20 so as to be arranged at a position corresponding to a
predetermined distance rearward from a position of the drive shoe
50 at the time when the movable panel 12 is in the fully closed
position. The lock hole 21e partially recessed in the guide surface
21 is positioned in the longitudinal direction so as to face the
rear guide member 40. The extending portion 92 of the check member
90 is engageable with the lock hole 21e. The lock hole 21e serves
as a restriction portion and a lock portion of the sunroof
apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.
In the sunroof apparatus 10 described above, in a state where the
movable panel 12 is in the fully closed position, the front link 60
is restricted via the first guide pin 62a by an inner edge portion
of the vertical extending portion 32a of the interior guide groove
32 (of the front guide member 30) from moving in the longitudinal
direction.
As illustrated in FIG. 8C, the front link 60 is restricted via the
third guide pin 62c (serving as the front restriction portion) by
the third wall portion 21c of the guide rail 20 from vertically
moving. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8D, the front link 60
is restricted via the fourth guide pin 62d by an inner edge portion
of the guide hole 52 of the drive shoe 50 from vertically
moving.
As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the rear link 70 includes an interiorly
protruding portion 71c serving as a front restriction portion. The
rear link 70 is restricted via the interiorly protruding portion
71c by the third wall portion 21c of the guide rail 20 from
vertically moving. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, the rear
link 70 is restricted via the convex insertion portion 72b (the
rear restriction portion) by an inner edge portion of the recessed
guide portion 42 of the rear guide member 40 from vertically
moving.
Next, the tilt-up operation of the movable panel 12 will be
explained as follows with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 12C,
12D, 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D. FIG. 10 illustrates a vertical
cross-sectional view of the front side of the sunroof apparatus 10
in a fully tilted-up state. FIG. 11 illustrates a vertical
cross-sectional view of the rear side of the sunroof apparatus 10
in the fully tilted-up state. In addition, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the
components of the sunroof apparatus 10 are shown by different types
of lines from one another in the same way as seen in FIGS. 2 and
3.
FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D illustrate vertical cross-sectional
views taken along the lines XIIA-XIIA, XIIB-XIIB, XIIC-XIIC, and
XIID-XIID of FIG. 10. FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate vertical
cross-sectional views taken along the lines XIIIA-XIIIA and
XIIIB-XIIIB of FIG. 10. FIGS. 13C and 13D illustrate vertical
cross-sectional views taken along the lines XIIIC-XIIIC and
XIIID-XIIID of FIG. 11.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, the drive shoe 50 moves
rearward; therefore, the fourth guide pin 62d is guided within the
guide hole 52 (the drive shoe 50) and therefore is positioned at a
front end portion of the second inclined portion 52c (see FIG.
12D). At this time, the fourth guide pin 62d does not move in the
longitudinal direction but moves downward. Therefore, the front
link 60 rotates clockwise about the third guide pin 62c in FIG. 10;
thereby, the front end portion of the functional bracket 80 is
moved upward by the first guide pin 62a to which the front end
portion of the functional bracket 80 is connected (see FIG.
12A).
As described above, the drive shoe 50 and the check member 90 are
connected to each other by the engagement pin 54 and the engagement
groove 93 (see FIG. 13A). In addition, the check member 90 and the
rear link 70 are connected to each other by the recessed engagement
portion 94 and the convex engagement portion 72a (see FIG. 11).
Accordingly, the check member 90 and the rear link 70 move rearward
in conjunction with the rearward movement of the drive shoe 50.
Here, the interiorly protruding portion 71c of the rear link 70
moves within the guide rail 20 in the longitudinal direction when
the movable panel 12 moves from the fully closed position to a
fully opened position. Meanwhile, the convex insertion portion 72b
of the rear link 70 is being guided by the recessed guide portion
42 of the rear guide member 40 in the longitudinal direction,
thereby moving from the front portion to the rear portion of the
main body 41 and from a lower side to an upper side of the main
body 41. Accordingly, the rear portion 73 of the rear link 70 moves
upward in accordance with the upward movement of the convex
insertion portion 72b and the functional bracket 80 having a rear
portion supported by the rear portion 73 of the rear link 70 moves
upward. Consequently, a rear portion of the movable panel 12 is
moved upward; therefore, the movable panel 12 is tilted forward.
That is, the movable panel 12 is brought into the tilted-up
state.
Next, disengagement between the drive shoe 50 and the check member
90 will be described as follows with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
FIG. 14 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of the front
side of the sunroof apparatus 10 when being in a state right after
the drive shoe 50 and the check member 90 are disengaged from one
another. FIG. 15 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of the
rear side of the sunroof apparatus 10 when being in a state right
after the drive shoe 50 and the check member 90 are disengaged from
one another. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the components of the sunroof
apparatus 10 are shown by different types of lines from one another
in the same way as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the drive shoe 50 moves rearward;
therefore, the fourth guide pin 62d moves within the guide hole 52
of the drive shoe 50 relative thereto and therefore reaches a lower
end portion of the vertical extending portion 52a. At this time,
the rear end portion of the front link 60 is moved downward and
rearward. Consequently, the front link 60 rotates clockwise about
the third guide pin 62c as seen in FIG. 14 and moves rearward in
conjunction with the rearward movement of the drive shoe 50. Then,
the first guide pin 62a is removed from the rear end portion of the
circular arc portion 32b of the front guide member 30 and the
second guide pin 62b is removed from a rear end portion of the
circular arc portion 34b of the front guide member 30. In addition,
the first guide pin 62a and the second guide pin 62b move rearward
along the guide rail 20.
As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the drive shoe 50 is moved
rearward by the predetermined distance from the position at the
time when the movable panel 12 is in the fully closed position. At
this time, the extending portion 92 of the check member 90 is moved
to an upper side of the lock hole 21 e of the guide rail 20. The
check member 90 is biased by the spring 100 in a direction toward
the guide surface 21 of the guide rail 20; therefore, the check
member 90 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 15 and the extending
portion 92 is moved downward into the lock hole 21e. As a result,
the engagement pin 54 is removed from the engagement groove 93,
therefore releasing the engagement between the drive shoe 50 and
the check member 90.
Next, a configuration of the sunroof apparatus 10 in the fully
opened state will be explained as follows with reference to FIGS.
16, 17, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D. FIG. 16
illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of the front side of
the sunroof apparatus 10 in the fully opened state. FIG. 17
illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of the rear side of the
sunroof apparatus 10 in the fully opened state. In addition, in
FIGS. 17 and 18, the components of the sunroof apparatus 10 are
shown by different types of lines from one another in the same way
as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.
In addition, FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D illustrate vertical
cross-sectional views taken along the lines XVIIIA-XVIIIA,
XVIIIB-XVIIIB, XVIIIC-XVIIIC, and XVIIID-XVIIID of FIG. 16. FIGS.
19B and 19C illustrate vertical cross-sectional views taken along
the lines XIXB-XIXB and XIXC-XIXC of FIG. 16. FIGS. 19A and 19D
illustrate vertical cross-sectional views taken along the lines
XIXA-XIXA and XIXD-XIXD of FIG. 17.
After the extending portion 92 of the check member 90 is moved
downward into the lock hole 21e as illustrated in FIG. 16, the
drive shoe 50 moves further rearward. At this time, the front link
60 connected to the drive shoe 50 by the fourth guide pin 62d moves
rearward in conjunction with the rearward movement of the drive
shoe 50. Here, the first guide pin 62a moves rearward along the
recessed portion formed in the first wall portion 21a of the guide
rail 20 (see FIG. 18A). Both the second guide pin 62b and the third
guide pin 62c move rearward along the recessed portion 23c formed
in the third wall portion 21c of the guide rail 20 (see FIG. 18C).
The first, second, and third guide pins 62a, 62b, and 62c that are
separated from one another in the longitudinal direction restrict
the front link 60 from moving vertically.
In addition, the functional bracket 80 is connected to the front
link 60 by the first guide pin 62a, thereby moving rearward in
accordance with the rearward movement of the front link 60. At this
time, both the rear link 70 and the check member 90 are stopped in
the longitudinal direction; therefore, the front end portion of the
front link 60 moves rearward to a position corresponding to the
position of the intermediate portion 72 of the rear link 70 in the
longitudinal direction. The convex insertion portion 72b of the
rear link 70 moves rearward along a recessed portion 23d formed in
the fourth wall portion 21d of the guide rail 20 and the recessed
portion 23d restricts the convex insertion portion 72b from moving
vertically (see FIG. 19C).
As illustrated in FIG. 16, the drive shoe 50 is positioned at a
lower side of the rear portion 73 of the rear link 70. In addition,
a front end portion of the fixed panel 13 is positioned between the
rear portion 73 and the drive shoe 50 in the vertical direction.
The front link 60 and the rear link 70 are arranged at different
positions from each other in the width direction (see FIGS. 18A,
18C, and 18D).
Here, for example, a distance between the convex insertion portion
72b of the rear link 70 and the third guide pin 62c of the front
link 60 is defined as a first distance and a distance between the
convex insertion portion 72b and the fourth guide pin 62d of the
front link 60 is defined as a second distance. In a state where the
movable panel 12 is in the fully closed position as illustrated in
FIG. 2, the first distance is longer than the second distance. On
the other hand, in a state where the movable panel 12 is in the
fully opened position as illustrated in FIG. 16, the first distance
is shorter than the second distance.
As illustrated in FIG. 16, the convex insertion portion 72b is
positioned further forward than the rear end portion of the front
link 60. The front end portion of the front link 60 is positioned
further rearward than a front end portion of the rear link 70.
As described above, in a state where the movable panel 12 is in the
fully opened position, the front link 60 is restricted via the
fourth guide pin 62d by the inner edge portion of the vertically
extending portion 52a of the guide hole 52 from moving in the
longitudinal direction as illustrated in FIG. 16.
As illustrated in FIG. 18A, the front link 60 is restricted via the
first guide pin 62a by the first wall portion 21a of the guide rail
20 from vertically moving. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 16,
the front link 60 is restricted by the second guide pin 62b from
vertically moving from the guide rail 20. Moreover, as illustrated
in FIG. 18C, the front link 60 is restricted via the third guide
pin 62c by the third wall portion 21c of the guide rail 20 from
vertically moving.
Similarly as seen in a state where the movable panel 12 is in the
fully closed position, under a state where the movable panel 12 is
in the fully opened position, the rear link 70 is restricted via
the interiorly protruding portion 71c by the third wall portion 21c
of the guide rail 20 from vertically moving (see FIG. 9B).
Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 19C, the rear link 70 is
restricted via the convex insertion portion 72b (serving as the
rear restriction portion) by an inner edge portion of the recessed
portion 23d of the fourth wall portion 21d of the guide rail 20
from vertically moving.
Next, how to assemble the check member 90, the rear link 70, and
the drive shoe 50 to one another will be explained as follows.
According to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the spring
100 is firstly attached to the check member 90 in a state where the
check member 90 is not attached to the guide rail 20. Then, the
rear link 70 is attached to the check member 90 to which the spring
100 is attached. Afterward, the spring 100, the check member 90,
and the rear link 70 that are attached to one another are assembled
to the guide rail 20. In particular, the fixation portion 102 of
the spring 100 is temporally fixed to the temporary fixation
portion 97; thereby, the spring 100 is attached to the recessed
attachment portion 95 of the check member 90. Secondly, the convex
engagement portion 72a of the rear link 70 is engaged with the
recessed engagement portion 94 of the check member 90 to thereby
attach the rear link 70 to the check member 90. Afterward, the
fixation portion 102 of the spring 100 is detached from the
temporary fixation portion 97 and is thereafter locked with the
protruding lock portion 71 b of the rear link 70. Next, the check
member 90, the rear link 70, and the spring 100 attached to one
another as described above are assembled to the guide rail 20. In
addition, the drive shoe 50 is assembled to the guide rail 20 so as
to be positioned further forward than the check member 90.
Thereafter, the drive shoe 50 is moved rearward along the guide
rail 20; therefore, the engagement pin 54 of the drive shoe 50
makes contact with the inclined guide surface 98 of the check
member 90. Accordingly, the check member 90 rotates about the
convex engagement portion 72a of the rear link 70; therefore, the
engagement pin 54 moves along the connecting surface 99. Afterward,
the drive shoe 50 is moved forward; thereby, the engagement pin 54
moves in the engagement groove 93 and is therefore engaged
therewith. Thus, the check member 90 and the drive shoe 50 are
attached to each other.
The sunroof apparatus 10 according to the embodiment may be
modified as follows. According to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the
embodiment, it is appropriate for the temporary fixation portion 97
to be formed at the check member 90 in order to improve
assemblability between the check member 90 and the rear link 70.
Alternatively, the temporary fixation portion 97 may not be formed
at the check member 90 in the sunroof apparatus 10 according to the
embodiment.
According to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the
recessed attachment portion 95 to which the spring 100 is attached
is formed at the check member 90. Alternatively, the recessed
attachment portion 95 may be modified to a convex portion or the
like, which has a different configuration from that of the recessed
attachment portion 95, as long as the spring 100 may be attached to
the convex portion or the like.
The biasing member according to the embodiment is not limited to
the spring 100 having the substantially U-shape. Alternatively, the
biasing member according to the embodiment may be formed by a
different biasing member, for example, a coil spring or the like as
long as the different biasing member biases the check member 90 in
the direction toward the lock hole 21e (the restriction portion,
the lock portion) of the guide surface 21.
According to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment, it is
appropriate for the deformable portion 96 to be integrally formed
with the lower surface of the main body 91 of the check member 90
in order to simplify the assembling processes of the sunroof
apparatus 10. However, in a case where the assembling processes are
not intended to be simplified, an elastic portion serving as the
deformable portion 96 and corresponding to a separate member from
the main body 91 may be arranged thereat.
According to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the
extending portion 92 includes the edge portion facing the guide
rail 20 (guide surface 21). In addition, it is appropriate for the
edge portion of the extending portion 92 to have the circular arc
surface 92a in order to reduce an interference length of the
extending portion 92 with the lock hole 21e in the vertical
direction, i.e. in order to reduce a length of the lock hole 21e in
the vertical direction. Alternatively, the check member 90 may not
have the circular arc surface 92a and may be formed to have both
curved and flat surfaces.
According to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the check
member 90 is configured to include the extending portion 92.
Alternatively, the check member 90 may not include the extending
portion 92. In addition, according to the embodiment, the lock hole
21e serving as the restriction portion is formed in the guide rail
20. Alternatively, the restriction portion may be a different
portion from the lock hole 21e as long as the different portion may
release the engagement between the check member 90 and the drive
shoe 50 by engaging with the check member 90 to restrict the
rearward movement of the check member 90.
Further, for example, in a case where an occurrence of noises
caused by a contact between the check member 90 and the guide rail
20 is of no concern, the deformable portion 96 serving as the
elastic portion may be eliminated from the check member 90.
Furthermore, according to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the
embodiment, the front guide member 30 and the rear guide member 40
are separate members from the guide rail 20. Alternatively, at
least one of the front guide member 30 and the rear guide member 40
may be integrally formed with the guide rail 20, resulting in a
decrease of the number of components of the sunroof apparatus
10.
As described above, a different member from the check member 90 may
be applied to the sunroof apparatus 10 according to the embodiment
as long as the different member is configured as follows. The
different member is arranged on the guide rail 20 so as to engage
with the drive shoe 50. In addition, in a case where a distance of
the rearward movement of the drive shoe 50 is shorter than the
predetermined distance, the different member is engaged with the
drive shoe 50 to thereby move rearward together with the drive shoe
50. Meanwhile, in a case where the distance of the rearward
movement of the drive shoe 50 is equal to or longer than the
predetermined distance, the different member is disengaged from the
drive shoe 50.
As described above, according to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the
embodiment, following effects may be obtained.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the sunroof apparatus
10 operates the movable panel 12 in the opening and closing
directions. The movable panel 12 is arranged at the opening portion
2 of the roof panel 1 for the vehicle. The opening and closing
operations includes tilt-up and slide modes of the movable panel
12. The sunroof apparatus 10 includes the functional bracket 80
supporting the movable panel 12, the guide rail 20 adapted to be
attached to the roof panel 1, the guide rail 20 extending in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the drive shoe 50 driven to
move along the guide rail 20 in the longitudinal direction, the
front link 60 connected to the front portion of the functional
bracket 80 to move in the longitudinal direction in conjunction
with the movement of the drive shoe 50, the front guide member 30
engaged with the front portion of the functional bracket 80 and
with the front portion of the front link 60 to guide the front
portions of the functional bracket 80 and the front link 60 to move
in the longitudinal direction, the check member 90 provided to be
engageable with the drive shoe 50, the check member 90 being
engaged with the drive shoe 50 to move rearward in conjunction with
the movement of the drive shoe 50 in the rearward direction of the
vehicle when the distance of the rearward movement of the drive
shoe 50 is shorter than the predetermined distance, the check
member 90 being disengaged from the drive shoe 50 when the distance
of the rearward movement of the drive shoe 50 is equal to or longer
than the predetermined distance, the rear link 70 engaged with the
check member 90 to support a portion of the functional bracket 80
so that the portion is slidable in the longitudinal direction, the
portion being positioned rearward than the front portion of the
functional bracket 80, and the rear guide member 40 guiding the
rear link 70 to move in the longitudinal direction.
According to the aforementioned configuration of the sunroof
apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the drive shoe 50 and the check
member 90 engage with each other and disengage from each other
depending on the distance of the rearward movement of the drive
shoe 50 from the position at the time when the movable panel 12 is
in the fully closed position, thereby realizing the tilt-up and
slide modes included in the opening and closing operations of the
movable panel 12. Consequently, the guide rail 20 needs to be
configured so that a length of the guide rail 20 in the
longitudinal direction ranges from the front end portion of the
guide rail 20 to the position of the drive shoe 50 at the time when
the movable panel 12 is in the fully opened position. As a result,
the length of the guide rail 20 in the longitudinal direction may
be minimized without a reduction of a maximum opening area created
by the movable panel 12.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the sunroof apparatus
10 further includes the lock hole 21e arranged at the guide rail 20
and the spring 100 biasing the check member 90 in the direction
toward the lock hole 21e. The check member 90 is provided rotatably
about the engagement position with the rear link 70. The lock hole
21e engages with the check member 90 to restrict the rearward
movement of the check member 90 to release the engagement between
the check member 90 and the drive shoe 50.
As described above, the distance of the rearward movement of the
drive shoe 50 becomes equal to or longer than the predetermined
distance from the position at the time when the movable panel 12 is
in the fully closed position. At this time, the check member 90 is
moved downward into the lock hole 21e and is engaged therewith,
thereby being restricted by the lock hole 21e from moving further
rearward. Thus, the check member 90 engageable with and
disengageable from the drive shoe 50 depending on the distance of
the rearward movement of the drive shoe 50 may be easily
configured.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the check member 90
includes the extending portion 92 extending toward the lock hole
21e. The extending portion 92 slides on the guide surface 21 of the
guide rail 20. The lock hole 21e serves as the lock portion
partially recessed in the guide surface 21 of the guide rail 20 to
lock with the extending portion 92.
When the check member 90 is moved rearward until the extending
portion 92 is positioned to the upper side of the lock hole 21e,
the check member 90 is rotated and the extending portion 92 is
moved downward into the lock hole 21e formed in the guide rail 20.
Therefore, the check member 90 is restricted from moving further
rearward. Thus, the check member 90 engageable with and
disengageable from the drive shoe 50 depending on the distance of
the rearward movement of the drive shoe 50 may be easily
configured.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the drive shoe 50
includes the engagement pin 54 extending in the width direction of
the vehicle. The check member 90 includes the engagement groove 93
having the rear end portion. The engagement groove 93 is engageable
via the rear end portion with the engagement pin 54 of the drive
shoe 50. The engagement groove 93 forms the circular arc shape
extending obliquely upward and rearward in a state where the
engagement groove 93 is engaged with the engagement pin 54.
For example, when the check member 90 is rotated in accordance with
the rearward movement of the drive shoe 50 and the extending
portion 92 is moved downward into the lock hole 21e formed in the
guide rail 20, the engagement pin 54 of the drive shoe 50 moves
within the engagement groove 93 and is thereafter released from the
engagement groove 93 through the rear end portion of the engagement
groove 93. Therefore, the engagement between the drive shoe 50 and
the check member 90 is released.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the extending portion
92 includes the edge portion facing the guide surface 21. The edge
portion is formed in the circularly curved shape.
In particular, the check member 90 includes the circular arc
surface 92a formed in the substantially circular arc shape having
the radius extending radially outward from the engagement pin 54
that is the engagement position with the drive shoe 50. According
to the configuration of the check member 90, the check member 90
smoothly rotates, that is, the extending portion 92 is smoothly
moved downward into the lock hole 21e. Therefore, the extending
portion 92 is appropriately locked by the lock hole 21e serving as
the lock portion. In addition, according to the configuration of
the check member 90, the interference length of the extending
portion 92 with the lock hole 21e in the vertical direction, i.e.
the length of the lock hole 21e in the vertical direction may be
minimized.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the check member 90
includes the elastic portion at the edge portion located in the
direction toward which the check member 90 is biased by the spring
100.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the elastic portion is
the deformable portion 96 integrally formed with the main body 91
of the check member 90.
Accordingly, in a case where the check member 90 is moved downward
into the lock hole 21e and is engaged therewith, the check member
90 is brought into contact with the guide rail 20 by the biasing
force of the spring 100. At this time, the noises caused by the
contact between the check member 90 and the guide rail 20 may
discomfort an occupant or the like of the vehicle.
However, the check member 90 configured as described above may
minimize the noises caused when the check member 90 is brought into
contact with the guide rail 20 by the biasing force of the spring
100. Accordingly, the occupant may be inhibited from having
uncomfortable feeling caused by the noises. In addition, according
to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the deformable
portion 96 is integrally formed with the check member 90.
Accordingly, the assembling process of the sunroof apparatus 10 may
be simplified compared to the case where the elastic portion
corresponding to the deformable portion 96 and serving as the
separate member from the check member 90 is applied to the sunroof
apparatus 10.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, the check member 90
includes the recessed attachment portion 95 and the temporary
fixation portion 97 formed at the recessed attachment portion 95.
The spring 100 serves as the compression spring 100 arranged in the
recessed attachment portion 95. The compression spring 100 includes
the base end portion 101 engaged with the check member 90 and the
fixation portion 102 engaged with the rear link 70. The fixation
portion 102 of the compression spring 100 is temporarily fixed to
the temporary fixation portion 97 when attaching the rear link 70
and the check member 90 to each other by the compression spring
100.
Therefore, in the case of attaching the rear link 70 to the check
member 90, the fixation portion 102 of the spring 100 is firstly
temporarily attached to the temporary fixation portion 97 of the
recessed attachment portion 95. Then, the rear link 70 is attached
to the check member 90. Afterward, the fixation portion 102 is
detached from the temporary fixation portion 97 and is thereafter
engaged with the rear link 70. Next, the check member 90, the rear
link 70, and the spring 100 attached to one another as described
above are assembled to the guide rail 20. Thus, the assemblability
of the sunroof apparatus 10 according to the embodiment may be
improved compared to a case where the check member 90 and the rear
link 70 are attached to each other and the spring 100 is thereafter
engaged with the check member 90 and the rear link 70. In addition,
according to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the spring
100 is engaged with the check member 90 and the rear link 70 before
the check member 90 and the rear link 70 are assembled to the guide
rail 20. Therefore, the assemblability of the sunroof apparatus 10
according to the embodiment may be further increased compared to a
case where the check member 90 and the rear link 70 are assembled
to the guide rail 20 and the spring 100 is thereafter attached to
the check member 90 and the rear link 70.
Further, according to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the embodiment,
the front link 60 includes the third guide pin 62c (the front
restriction portion) and the fourth guide pin 62d (the rear
restriction portion) that are different pins separated from each
other in the longitudinal direction. The third guide pin 62c and
the fourth guide pin 62d are restricted by the guide rail 20 from
moving vertically in a state where the movable panel 12 is in the
fully closed position. The rear link 70 includes the interiorly
protruding portion 71c (the front restriction portion) and the
convex insertion portion 72b (the rear restriction portion) that
are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction. The
interiorly protruding portion 71c and the convex insertion portion
72b are restricted by the guide rail 20 from moving vertically in a
state where the movable panel 12 is in the fully closed position.
Moreover, the front link 60 and the rear link 70 are arranged at
the different positions from each other in the width direction so
that the first distance is longer than the second distance in a
state where the movable panel 12 is in the fully closed position
(see FIG. 2). In addition, the front link 60 and the rear link 70
are arranged at the different positions from each other in the
width direction so that the first distance is shorter than the
second distance in a state where the movable panel 12 is in the
fully opened position (see FIG. 16). Here, the first distance
corresponds to the distance between the convex insertion portion
72b of the rear link 70 and the third guide pin 62c of the front
link 60. The second distance corresponds to the distance between
the convex insertion portion 72b and the fourth guide pin 62d of
the front link 60.
Thus, according to the aforementioned configuration of the sunroof
apparatus 10 of the embodiment, when the movable panel 12 is moved
to the fully opened position, the front link 60 may be
appropriately positioned rearward than the rear link 70. At this
time, the drive shoe 50 is connected to the front link 60,
therefore being positioned close to the front link 60 while not
being separated from the front link 60. As a result, the length of
the guide rail 20 in the longitudinal direction may be minimized
while the maximum opening area created by the movable panel 12 is
inhibited from being reduced.
Furthermore, according to the sunroof apparatus 10 of the
embodiment, the front link 60 and the rear link 70 are arranged at
different positions on a plain surface so that the rear end portion
of the front link 60 is positioned further forward than the convex
insertion portion 72b of the rear link 70 in a state where the
movable panel 12 is in the fully closed position. The plain surface
extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the
guide rail 20 extends. In addition, the front link 60 and the rear
link 70 are arranged at the different positions on the plain
surface so that the convex insertion portion 72b of the rear link
70 is positioned further forward than the rear end portion of the
front link 60 in a state where the movable panel 12 is in the fully
opened position.
Thus, according to the aforementioned configuration of the sunroof
apparatus 10 of the embodiment, when the movable panel 12 is moved
to the fully opened position, the front link 60 may be
appropriately positioned rearward than the rear link 70. At this
time, the drive shoe 50 is connected to the front link 60,
therefore being positioned close to the front link 60 while not
being separated from the front link 60. As a result, the length of
the guide rail 20 in the longitudinal direction may be minimized
without the reduction of the maximum opening area created by the
movable panel 12.
Additionally, when the movable panel 12 is being moved in the
opening direction toward the fully opened position, the front end
portion of the front link 60 moves rearward and is therefore
positioned further rearward than the front end portion of the rear
link 70. Here, the front link 60 and the rear link 70 are arranged
at the different positions from each other in the width direction;
therefore, the front link 60 and the rear link 70 may smoothly move
rearward while not interfering with each other.
The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the
present invention have been described in the foregoing
specification. However, the invention which is intended to be
protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein
are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents
employed, without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be
embraced thereby.
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